After a damp winter a lawn mower often comes out of the shed with last year's grass caked on, a rusty blade and stiff wheels. For a clean, effortless first cut in spring, clean and lubricate the machine before the season starts.
The routine is similar for petrol, electric and robotic mowers; the difference is how careful you need to be with water and electrics.
What you will need
Important: Before cleaning, unplug an electric mower or remove its battery, pull the spark plug cap off a petrol mower and switch a robot off at the power button. Never hose down electric or robotic mowers.
Step 1
Prepare the area and the mower
Lay out a tarpaulin to catch dirt and excess lubricant and keep the floor clean. Put on gloves.
To reach the underside of the deck, tip the mower on its side with the air filter and carburettor facing up so fuel and oil cannot run into the filter.
Step 2
Clean the deck and blade
Use a brush and wooden scraper to remove grass packed under the housing. Only use a hose on a petrol mower, at low pressure; wipe an electric one with a damp sponge.
If you want to sharpen or replace the blade or change the spark plug, do it now, before lubricating.
Step 3
Lubricate wheels, cables and pivots
Apply WD-40 Multi-Use to the wheel axles, control cables, handle pivots and height adjuster. The WD-40 Smart Straw lets you reach tight spots precisely.
Turn the wheels and work the levers several times so the lubricant spreads. If you washed the mower, it also drives moisture out of the metal and protects against rust. Give the metal of the blade a thin coat too.
Step 4
Look after plastic and rubber
A plastic housing can be wiped with a cloth and WD-40 Multi-Use to refresh its look and repel dust. For plastic wheel bushes, rubber seals and trims, WD-40 Specialist Silicone is the better choice: it dries quickly, protects against moisture and is safe on plastic and rubber.
Step 5
Robotic mowers: dry cleaning only
Never wash a robot with water. Follow the manufacturer's instructions: brush the blades, wheels and body and wipe the sensors with a dry cloth.
If charging is unreliable, check the contacts on the robot and the charging station. Clean oxidised or dirty contacts with WD-40 Specialist Contact Cleaner: it dissolves grime and greasy films and evaporates quickly. Let it dry before switching on.
Tip: The deck is easiest to clean straight after mowing, before the grass dries. A minute with a brush after each use saves an hour of scrubbing in spring.
What next
During the season lubricate the wheels and cables once a month, and before winter storage clean the mower fully and treat the blade and metal parts with a protective lubricant. If a wheel or bolt has seized, WD-40 Specialist Penetrant will help.
These uses come from the experience of WD-40 users in many countries. Always follow the instructions and warnings on the product label.
More guides in «How to use».